9 Resume Writing Mistakes You Should Avoid

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With only a few seconds to impress a recruiter, mistakes on a resume will stick out like a sore thumb. 

While typos and mistakes happen, is it ok to have errors on your resume?

We can tell you that it isn’t in the vast majority of cases. Remember, you’re competing with others to get that chance of an interview. 

Your resume will be the first thing a prospective employer really examines when you apply for a role or show interest in a company. So, you should want to make a strong, unequivocal statement about who you are, how great you are at what you do, and the value you could potentially add to that company.

With our AI resume builder, you can help yourself avoid these mistakes with instant suggestions. 

However, even with an advanced tool, you should know what the most common mistakes made on a resume are to avoid them.

So, what are the most common mistakes in a resume? 

Check out the list below to ensure that your resume doesn’t contain any of the typical resume mistakes that many applicants make. 

1. Applying For Different Jobs With The Same Resume

Many individuals routinely send the same copy of their resume to several job positions that demand different abilities or are in different sectors. This often happens when you don’t have enough time.

However, keep in mind that even though the companies might be in the same field, they may have different cultures and responsibilities. As a result, you’ll need to tailor your job application to each position you’re applying for.

Probably the best part of your resume to personalize your application will be in your resume summary or objective. You can state how your experience and/or motivation can help you succeed in the role. 

For example, let’s say you apply for a sales rep position at both a large and a small company. 

Summary for a large company:

Example

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Summary

Experienced Sales Representative with 7+ years in large corporations, consistently exceeding sales targets. At XYZ Corporation, I helped increase revenue by 20% through teamwork and strategic collaboration. Proven ability to thrive in team environments and manage key client accounts. Excited to bring my expertise to ABC’s dynamic sales team.

Summary for a small company:

Example

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Summary

Dedicated Sales Representative with 7+ years of experience working independently in small businesses. At ABC Enterprises, I boosted sales by 30% within a year through personalized strategies and strong interdepartmental communication. Skilled in autonomous work and client relationship management. Eager to drive growth at XYZ Industry as the sole sales rep.

As you can see, if you apply for a large company you can demonstrate that teamwork is important for you, while at a small company, you can show that you are used to working alone. 

By personalizing your sections, you can avoid the typical resume errors of generic applications.

2. Using an Unprofessional Email Address in Your Resume

The importance of having a professional email account when seeking employment can not be understated; you want to present yourself as a put-together and thoughtful potential hire, so even the little details count.

Fortunately, there are numerous free email service providers available to take advantage of, and creating a new email address takes less than a few minutes.

The formula is quite simple. In the professional world, your email address should, in general, only contain your name or initials and, if necessary, special characters or digits to split things up or individualize the address.

Avoid using an email that displays any:

• Political agendas
• Pop references
• Controversial topics
• Humor

Review the examples below to fully understand what your email should and shouldn’t contain

Another thing you should avoid is using your existing work email: it may reflect poorly on your trustworthiness and credibility.

3. Writing Too Much or Too Little

Because they’ve read or heard that resumes should be no longer than one page, many people assume that it’s compulsory to try to cram everything onto one page. 

While less can be more, avoid removing accomplishments. 

On the flip side, too much material could make it difficult for a company or recruiter to see how you can contribute to their job vacancy. 

To say a lot with as few words as possible, you can use:

• Action verbs to start sentences
• Metrics to quantify your achievements

Here’s an example of how to correctly include some experience:

Example

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Experience

Data Analyst

XYZ Corporation | 2018 – Present

• Increased data processing efficiency by 25% through automation of data cleaning processes.
• Led the analysis of large datasets, providing insights that drove a 15% increase in operational efficiency.
• Developed and implemented predictive models, improving forecast accuracy by 20%.

4. Typos and Incorrect Grammar

Proofread your resume as many times as required. Make sure no spelling mistakes or other grammatical errors are included.

If you’re wondering what might happen if you have grammatical errors in your resume, it could be the difference between getting an interview and being ignored. 

A study conducted by MIT, published in 2023, demonstrated that out of around half a million job candidates, those who used an algorithmic writing assistance tool increased their chances of being hired by 8%. 

You should also have a buddy or a colleague check your resume and even get a second or third opinion. 

A random spelling mistake happens to everyone now and then, but it is probably one of the most avoidable job application mistakes you could make.

5. Overusing Keywords From The Job Listing

There’s a temptation to use keywords or phrases from the job listing in an effort to give a recruiter exactly what they want. However, too much focus on pleasing a potential hiring team may lead to a resume that feels cluttered with buzzwords.

Consider this job posting that calls for someone to:

• Run team videoconferences to push for updates and task completion.
• Create guidelines to develop crisis management and status reports.
• Ensure required reporting and minutes for cross-functional board meetings.

Filling up your resume using these exact keywords is called “keyword stuffing,” and this is what it might look like:

This habit may put you in line with what your employer wants, but it doesn’t leave any room for you to share what makes you a unique and attractive candidate. 

Here is a better way of responding to the job description in your resume without going overboard with the keywords: 

Use keywords as tools, but don’t rely on them so heavily that you lose sight of your individual experiences, work achievements, and qualifications.

6. Not Using a Professional Summary

Employers spend most of their attention on the upper third of a resume, so you want to catch their eye right from the get-go. 

You can do that with a well-written resume summary or objective.

• Resume summaries: Ideal for anyone who would like to mention their relevant experience and achievements. 
• Resume objectives: Perfect for candidates who are entry-level and would like to express their motivation for the role and show off their skills. 

In most cases, you should choose a summary. However, an objective statement is better in certain cases for entry-level applicants.

However you decide to write your resume, it would be a huge mistake on a job application to not include either statement.

Your professional summary should describe who you really are as a worker and how you add value through your skill set and/or experience.

We have plenty of resume examples that you can look through that demonstrate the perfect way to use a summary or objective. 

7. Using Illegible Fonts

Because the font you choose has such a large influence on the readability of your resume (both in PDF and on paper), it is not recommended to choose fonts that are difficult to read.

With so many choices available, deciding on the ideal font for a resume might seem challenging. However, it’s well worth it—making a strong first impression requires picking a basic and easy-to-read font and size. 

A good font demonstrates professionalism and improves readability. This allows your resume to stand out from the others.

8. Referring to Yourself as I or Me

When writing your resume, avoid using “I” or “me” to keep the focus on your achievements and skills. Resumes are typically written in a professional, third-person perspective without personal pronouns.

Instead of saying, “I increased sales by 20%,” simply say, “Increased sales by 20%.” This approach maintains a professional tone and emphasizes your contributions effectively.

By focusing on concise, impactful statements, you present your qualifications clearly and make your resume more compelling to potential employers.

9. Relying Too Much on AI

Writing a resume with AI tools can be incredibly helpful in creating your resume, but it’s crucial not to rely on them 100% without proofreading. Sometimes, things can go wrong and you might not even realize it. 

Here are some typical mistakes when using AI for your resume examples:

• Including generic output
• Writing in overly formal language
• Adding metrics that are not accurate

For instance, an AI might produce a generic statement like, “Successfully managed multiple projects.” While accurate, it’s better to personalize it: “Successfully managed 5 key projects, improving efficiency by 15%.”

You should also make sure that any metrics it includes are correct and not just made up to impress a hiring manager. 

By correctly combining AI assistance with your own input, you create a resume that is both polished and personal, increasing your chances of making a strong impression on potential employers.

Key Points

To avoid some or all of the most common resume mistakes, you need to have the right plan. Using resume templates and a builder can help, but it’s important to stay clear of the errors we mentioned, such as:

• Not adding a resume summary
• Not proofreading for errors or generic AI text
• Adding too little or too much information
• Overusing keywords
• Not tailoring your resume to the specific job

Once you are sure that you have avoided mistakes like these, you’ll be one step closer to landing your dream job.

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